Decorative incandescent lamp



Au 19, 1969 J N. RUSSI 3,462,632

DECORATIVE INCANDESCENT LAMP Filed April 28, 1967 JOSEPH N. RUSSI INVENTOR Q BYW m ATTORN Y United States Patent US. Cl. 313-110 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE An incandescent lamp having a uniformly distributed single layer of glass beads on the outer surface of the bulb whereby a floating image of the general bulb shape is created within the bulb.

This invention relates to incandescent lamps and more particularly to those designed to provide a decorative lighting effect.

In the manufacture of incandescent lamps numerous efforts have been made over the years to provide lamps having various decorative lighting effects. Although some of these efforts have resulted in lamps which are aesthetically acceptable, many others could not be So characterized. In some instances an acceptable article was developed but the cost was prohibitive from a commercial viewpoint. Thus one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an incandescent lamp with a decorative lighting effect.

Another object is to provide such a lamp which is aesthetically acceptable and which would be acceptable commercially from a cost viewpoint.

These and other objects, advantages and features are attained, in accordance with the principles of this invention, by attaching to the outer surface of an incandescent lamp bulb a single layer of closely spaced small glass beads, preferably touching one another, and distributed uniformly over the entire bulb surface, whereby the effect of a floating image of the general bulb shape is created within the bulb, both when the lamp is unlighted as well as when it is lit.

In the accompanying drawing, the single'figure is an elevational view of an incandescent lamp provided with a layer of glass beads on the outer face of the bulb whereby a floating image of the bulb is created therein.

In the illustrative embodiment, the lamp comprises a substantially spherical bulb 2 provided with a base 4. A lamp mount, not shown, is enclosed within the bulb 2 and the lead-in wires thereof are electrically connected to the base 4 in the usual manner.

The decorative effect of the lamp of my invention may be obtained by first coating the bulb surface with a transparent liquid silicone plastic, such as Sherwin-Williams V73VN27 for example, or any other suitable heat-resistant, transparent adhesive. The method of application may be any one of the techniques well known to these skilled 3,452,632 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 in the art, such as dipping, spraying or brushing for example. While this coating is still tacky, glass beads 6 are sprinkled thereover so that they are close together, preferably touching, and uniformly dispersed in a monolayer. In the specific embodiment the head size is preferably about .015"-.020" diameter. However other bead sizes in this and other applications may be employed with satisfactory results. The coating is then cured, in the specific example at about C. for about 15 minutes. This monolayer of glass beads provides the lamp with a floating image 2 of the bulb 2 centrally located and providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the lamp is unlighted as well as when it is lit.

In addition, a second and similar coating may be added over the glass beads and cured as required. This beadcovering coating helps to secure the beads in place and provides a surface less susceptible to collecting duct.

In applications not resulting in excessive heat, the first coating could be a pigment-bearing alkyd resin, appropriately cured. If desired the outer or second coat may also bear a pigment creating a somewhat modified effect on the image boundaries.

While there has been shown and described what is at present considered preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An incandescent electric lamp comprising: a bulb; and a single layer of closely spaced glass beads distributed uniformly over the outer face of said bulb whereby a floating image of the general bulb shape is created within said bulb.

2. The combination of claim 1 in which the outer face of said bulb is provided with a coating of a heat-resistant, transparent adhesive and said glass beads are sprinkled thereover.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which the adhesive is a liquid silicone plastic.

4. The combination of claim 1 in which the bead size is about .015".020" diameter.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,526 9/1888 Moore 313-116 1,873,951 8/1932 Zocher 313-11O X 2,862,834 12/1958 Hiler 313-416 X 2,901,646 8/1959 Plagge et al. 313-317 X 3,067,352 12/1962 Vodicka et al. 3131l6 JOHN W. HUCKERT, Primary Examiner ANDREW J. JAMES, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 313-113, 116, 317 

